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What does life hold for ex-MPs? What does life hold for ex-MPs?
(about 6 hours later)
By Rob Cave Beyond Westminster, BBC Radio 4 This year's election could see the biggest changeover of MPs since 1945By Rob Cave Beyond Westminster, BBC Radio 4 This year's election could see the biggest changeover of MPs since 1945
This month may not yet be the time for the British public to start feeling sorry for their local MP.This month may not yet be the time for the British public to start feeling sorry for their local MP.
But with an election no more than a few months away, sympathy could be just what many MPs will soon need - in the job market at least.But with an election no more than a few months away, sympathy could be just what many MPs will soon need - in the job market at least.
More than 120 MPs have announced they will stand down at this year's election, with more predicted to call it day before then. More than 120 MPs have announced they will stand down at this year's election, with more predicted to call it a day before then.
Combine them with MPs who may lose their seats in the more marginal constituencies and the election of 2010 could see the biggest change of MPs since the post-war election of 1945.Combine them with MPs who may lose their seats in the more marginal constituencies and the election of 2010 could see the biggest change of MPs since the post-war election of 1945.
'Soon forgotten''Soon forgotten'
And despite the view of the life of an MP created by last year's expenses scandal, life can be pretty cruel for a former member of the House.And despite the view of the life of an MP created by last year's expenses scandal, life can be pretty cruel for a former member of the House.
"There's nothing deader than a dead MP," said Joe Ashton, former member for Bassetlaw and chairman of the Association of Former MPs."There's nothing deader than a dead MP," said Joe Ashton, former member for Bassetlaw and chairman of the Association of Former MPs.
Headhunters have been saying privately that MPs may have been too discredited by the expenses scandal to win decent jobs in the private sector. Prof Kevin Theakston, University of LeedsHeadhunters have been saying privately that MPs may have been too discredited by the expenses scandal to win decent jobs in the private sector. Prof Kevin Theakston, University of Leeds
"It's a bit like a lower division footballer, say, playing for Lincoln City. Nobody knows you, except in the town, and you get headlines in the Lincoln Echo, or whatever it is, and you get about the same money."It's a bit like a lower division footballer, say, playing for Lincoln City. Nobody knows you, except in the town, and you get headlines in the Lincoln Echo, or whatever it is, and you get about the same money.
"Then you break a leg and you wave to them as they carry you off the field - that's goodbye mate because you're not coming back. Six months later you're forgotten.""Then you break a leg and you wave to them as they carry you off the field - that's goodbye mate because you're not coming back. Six months later you're forgotten."
In 2007, Mr Ashton commissioned Professor Kevin Theakston, of the University of Leeds, to assess how MPs prosper after they lose their seats.In 2007, Mr Ashton commissioned Professor Kevin Theakston, of the University of Leeds, to assess how MPs prosper after they lose their seats.
Prof Theakston believes the prospects for the defeated and retired of 2010 will be worse than ever.Prof Theakston believes the prospects for the defeated and retired of 2010 will be worse than ever.
"MPs will be going on to the job market at a time when the economy is in the depths of recession, at a time when MPs themselves are going to be, in some cases, suspect with their reputations damaged," he said."MPs will be going on to the job market at a time when the economy is in the depths of recession, at a time when MPs themselves are going to be, in some cases, suspect with their reputations damaged," he said.
"Head-hunters have been saying privately that MPs may have been too discredited by the expenses scandal to win decent jobs in the private sector.""Head-hunters have been saying privately that MPs may have been too discredited by the expenses scandal to win decent jobs in the private sector."
'Element of mistrust''Element of mistrust'
Tory MP Ken Hind, who lost West Lancashire to Labour in 1992, is still active behind the scenes for the Conservative Party but it was the resumption of his career as a criminal barrister that he recalls as a struggle.Tory MP Ken Hind, who lost West Lancashire to Labour in 1992, is still active behind the scenes for the Conservative Party but it was the resumption of his career as a criminal barrister that he recalls as a struggle.
"I had kept in contact with my chambers, although I hadn't done a case for a number of years, so I was able to go back," he said."I had kept in contact with my chambers, although I hadn't done a case for a number of years, so I was able to go back," he said.
"But, of course, people who were in the office, many of them didn't even know who I was, I had been away for so long. And, of course, clients didn't know who you were. So you had to work really hard to get back into it."But, of course, people who were in the office, many of them didn't even know who I was, I had been away for so long. And, of course, clients didn't know who you were. So you had to work really hard to get back into it.
"There was a very solid group of people who really didn't think you were sufficiently professional."There was a very solid group of people who really didn't think you were sufficiently professional.
"They didn't trust you, didn't think you were serious about doing the job because you were an ex-MP."They didn't trust you, didn't think you were serious about doing the job because you were an ex-MP.
"There was an element of mistrust, particularly in the legal profession. They really didn't take us seriously, they thought we were playing at politics.""There was an element of mistrust, particularly in the legal profession. They really didn't take us seriously, they thought we were playing at politics."
Beyond Westminster is on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, 2 January 2010, at 1100 GMT. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer after broadcast or download the podcast.Beyond Westminster is on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, 2 January 2010, at 1100 GMT. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer after broadcast or download the podcast.